Body-kneader.



Patentgd May 13, I902.

C. E. GERLING.

BODY KNEADER.

(Application ed Sept 23, 1902 UNITED STATES PATENT BEIGE.

- oHARLnsn; ennmne', on BURLINGTON, IOWA.

" BODY-KNEADER.

SPECIFICA'EIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,916, dated May 13, 1902. Application filed September 23,1901. Serial at. 76,275. (No model.)

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in. body-kneadersor instruments for massaging:

7 purposes, and more particularly to that form of such devices in which is employed means forpermitting a free movement of the parts of the device contacting with the body'of theperson operated upon, whereby the best os;

sible results maybe obtained.

It consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accom an in drawin s Fi ure 1 b b i 0 represents a view inside elevation of a flesh-;

kneader embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 represents the same in end elevation, parts being broken away to disclose the structure; and Fig. 3 represents an inverted plan view of the block which car varying degrees ofrapidity without an overamount of friction, and to attain this and other desirable results I provide, as seen in the accompanying drawings, a block of suitablematerial, as at 1, which is preferably of one piece and is formed with bores, as 22, formed in series longitudinallyof the block, the said bores extending inwardly almost to the opposite face of the block. These bores 2 are arranged in transverse pairs and are adapted to receive and retain the ends of rods ,33, each of which rods is formed with a straight middle portion, as 4, which extends transversely of blockl and in a parallel plane to that of the lower face thereof. Each of rods 3 is bent inwardly and extends upwardly in a curved line, as at 5:5, from ends of the straight portion 4, the ends of each of the said rods extending upwardly from saidupwardly-curved portions into their respective bores 2 Suitable rollers, as 6 6, are rotatably mounted'upon the straight portions 4 of rods 3, the saidcurved portions 5 of the said rods conforming to the contour of the contiguous rollers 6. 7, Any preferred form of handle, as 7, is removably secured to block 1 by having its forwardfportion, as 8,'.inserted in an aperture formed in the material of saidblock. The operation of the presentimproved body or flesh kneader will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The operator grasps handle 7 and strokes the flesh of the person operated upon (usually himself) with the rollers 6, which rotate, thereby lessening the friction and at the same time permitting the depression and kneading of the flesh, whereby the desired increase of circulation of the blood, quickened activityof the nerves, and development of the muscles are attained. Of course it will be readily apparent that the rollers 6 are mounted upo1 1,. the straight portion 4 of rod 3 in such manner as not only to be revoluble, .but may also have a lateral movement longitudinally of said straight por- 't ion,"the said rollers being of solid material pr er ly- I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the precise structure set forth, but shall feel at liberty to deviate therefrom within the spirit and scope of the'present invention. For instance, it is not absolutely essential that the portions 5 of rods 3'should be curved; but the blocklmaybe made of a suitable size relative to the size of-rollers 6 to permit the ends of saidrods to bebent directly at right angles to the portion'4 and project straight into the material of said block, as seen in Fig. 4.

The handle 7 is arranged, as above stated, so as to be removable from block 1, whereby the operator may detach the same and grasp the said block itself for operations-to be per formed upon his body within easy reach of the hands; but if, for instance, that portion of the back above the shoulder-blades is to be operated upon then the said handle is preferably inserted, so that the operation can the more easily be accomplished, the handle facilitating the reach to the otherwise inaccessible parts.

In Figs. 4 and 5Ihave illustrateda slightlyditferent form of roller, as 6, which is applied and operated in the same manner as rollers 6, but differs in being formed of elliptical or oval shape and provided in its periphery with notches, as 9, whereby in operation as the said roller or rollers rotate they will produce a pounding action upon the flesh kneaded, while the said notches will have a cupping effect. 01: course it will be understood that rollers 6 may be provided with cuppingnotches, if desired, and that the peripheries of rollers 6' may be made smooth when preferred.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A body-kneader, comprising a block of suitable material, rods projecting therefrom, and elliptical oroval-shapcd rollers revolubly mounted thereon, each of said rollers being comparatively fiat in cross-section, substantially as described.

2. A body-kneader, comprising a block of suitable material, rods projecting therefrom, and solid elliptical rollers revolubly mounted thereon, each having its periphery provided with cupping-notches, the said peripheries being of the same material ofsaid rollers, substantially as described.

3. A body-kneader, comprising a block of suitable material, solid elliptical rollers revolubly carried thereby, the peripheries of said rollers being formed of rigid material and each provided with a plurality of cupping-notches, substantially as described.

4. A body-kneader, comprising a block of suitable material, rods projecting therefrom, and solid elliptical rollers revolubly mounted upon said rods and provided with integral rigid peripheries each having a cupping-notch therein, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. GERLING.

\Vitnesses:

FRANK D. ROBINSON, THOMAS HEAP. 

